Flexible web reeling and guiding mechanisms



1950 .J. MEAGHER, JR ErAL 2,947,057

FLEXIBLE WEB REELING AND GUIDING MECHANISMS Filed Feb.- s, 1956 UnitedStates Patcnt O FLEXIBLE WEB REELING AND GUIDING MECHANISMS James L.Meagher, Jr., Rogers, and Edward A. Baril, Plainfield, Conn., assignors,by mesne assignments, to Plainfield Patents Corporation, Plainfield,Conn., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 3, 1956, Ser. No. 563,30

1 Claim. (Cl. 26-66) This invention relates to web reeling mechanismsand more especially to the reeling or winding of flexible webs.

A principal object of the invention is to provide novel mechanism forreeling or winding flexible webs which are subject to dimensionaldistortion in mutually perpen dicular directions.

Another object is to provide a reeling or winding mechanism forcontrolling the linear feeding movement of a flexible web to maintainthe web in predetermined alignment with respect to a winding reel or thelike, while also protecting the web against width distortion and wrinkleformation and without maintaining the web under continuous tension.

A feature of the invention relates to an automatic control for thelinearizing and width of a flexible web during its movement between twodifferent points, for example between an unwinding roll and a windingroll, and particularly without subjecting theweb to any substantialtension throughout its length.

Another feature relates to a novel automatic linearizing and automaticwidth control device for flexible web feeding mechanisms.

winding roll, is not too great where reliance can be placed uponsubstantial and continuous tension in the web to maintain it linearlytaut. terial is not subject to any substantial lateral or widthdistortion during feeding movement, conventional alignment controls canbe used. However, we have found that where both conditions must be met,namely extremely low tension in the web and freedom from the likelihoodof width distortion, it is necessary to employ a special form of feedingand width control which constitutes the present invention.

Accordingly, in the drawing the numeral 10 represents an unwinding rollcarrying the supply of the readily A further feature relates to a dualphotoelectric control 7 automatic linearizing and automatic widthcontrol for flexible web feeding mechanisms and the like.

A still further feature relates to the novel organization, arrangementand relative location and interconnection of parts which cooperate toprovide an improved reeling mechanism for flexible webs.

Other features and advantages, not particularly enumerated, will appearfrom the ensuing descriptions, the appended claim, and the attacheddrawings.

In the drawing, which shows one preferred exemplification,

Fig. l is a top plan view of a web feeding mechanism embodying theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 taken along the line 2-2 thereof;

Fig. 3 is a schematic wiring diagram of the control circuits used withthe mechanism of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the web and photoelectric controls. 7

Various kinds of web feeding and control devices have been proposedheretofore and have been found successful in controlling the feedingmovement of certain kinds of webs. However, when the webs areconstituted of a very flexible material which is readily distorable inlength and width even when subjected to relatively low tensions, suchconventional control devices have not always been found satisfactory.This is especially true where the web is in the form of a light weight,soft, stretchable, knit fabric, or in the form of a rubber-like orreadily extensible film, such as vinyl plastic film and the like. It hasbeen found necessary with such materials to make sure that they aresubjected to the very minimum amount of tension during the feedingmovement. The problem of linearizing the travel of relativelynon-stretchable webs between two points, for example between anunwinding roll and a stretchable and flexible material 11, whichmaterial is arranged to be wound on a receiving roll 12 located at asubstantial distance from roll 10. Roll 12 is positively driven at therequired winding speed by a suitable motor 13, which may be the commondrive motor for the entire machine, and the roll 10 is supported onsuitable bearings so that the web 11 is subjected to minimum tension,namely a tension which does not produce any substantial longitudinal orlateral distortion of the web. However, for various reasons, it has notbeen found feasible to wind a stretchable web in the proper non-offsetrelation on roll 12 without some form of automatic linearizing and widthcontrol in the region where the web is about to be wound on the roll 12.Furthermore, it is not only necessary to make sure that the path oftravel of the web in the winding region adjacent the roll 12 isperpendicular to the axis of the roll rotation, but it is also necessarythat the actual width of the web at the winding region remains uniform.This latter problem, of course, is not encountered with ordinarynon-stretchable webs. It will be understood, of course, that the web maypass through one or more processing devices (not shown) between the roll10 and the roll 12 and the rewinding power is supplied entirely by themotor 13. Furthermore, the web 11 may be supported on any smoothsurfaced plates or supports between the rolls 10 and 12 so as to exertnegligible drag on the web.

For the above purposes, the opposite longitudinal marginal portions ofweb 11 pass between respective pairs of control rollers 14, 15 and 16,17. The upper roller of each pair, namely rollers 14 and 16, arepreferably of metal such as aluminum, while the lower rollers of eachpair are preferably of rubber. The metal rollers 14 and 16 arepositively driven in the direction of the arrows so as to tend to assistthe movement of the web from right to left, as seen in Fig. 1 of thedrawing. The rollers 14 and 16 are driven in fixed speed relation to thespeed of roll 12 so that the web is not subjected to any substantiallongitudinal tension in the region between the roll 12 and the controlrollers. For example, rollers 14 and 16 may have their respective shaftsdriven through respective bevel gear trains 18, 19 "from the commoncross shaft 20, which in turn is driven for example by a chain or beltdrive 21 from the motor shaft 22. It will be understood, of course, thatthe motor 13 should beconnected to the shaft 22 through any suitablespeed changer so that the peripheral speed of the rollers 14 and 16 canbeset at any predetermined ratio to that of any other units throughwhich the web may pass after leaving the unwinding roll 10. Preferablythe rollers 14, 15 and 16, 17 are carried on respective frames 23, 24,which are mounted for slidable adjustment towards and away from the webas indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2. The positively driven rollers 14and 16 can be vertically adjusted on their respective frames so thatthey are both in engagement with the upper face of web 11. However, thisLikewise, where the web maposition they do not subject the web to anytraction. The Y rollers 15 and 17 are carried by respective verticallyshiftable brackets 25, 26, these brackets being connected to respectiveplungers 27, 28 operated by respective pneumatic actuators 29, 30. Eachactuator is connected through through a respective valve-controlled airline to a source of compressed air (not shown). For example, theactuator 30 is connected to air line 31 through a suitable valve 32,which is arranged to be controlled by the armature 33 of anelectromagnet 34. Since these pneumatic control units are identical forboth sets of rolls, only one control unit is shown in detail, namelythat in Fig. 2, and its associated electric circuits are shown in Fig.3. When the electromagnet 34 is deenergized, its armature 33 closes thevalve 32, thus allowing the roller 17 to drop by a suitable springloading (not shown) so that it is out of contact with the undersurfaceof web 11. On the other hand, when the electromagnet 34 is energized,the valve 32' is opened and the actuator 30 forces the roller 17 intocontact with the lower.surface of the web. However, the roller 17 is notpositively driven but since the web 11 is now in contact with thepositively driven roller 16 and the roller 17, the web 11 is subject totraction by reason of its being nipped between the rollers.

For the purpose of controlling each of the pneumatic actuators, there isprovided for each actuator a corresponding photoelectric cell 35, 36.These cells are positioned close to the respective longitudinal edges ofthe web 11, so that when the said web is traveling in the proper linearpath, namely perpendicular to the axis of rotation of roll 12 and is notcontracted laterally, both cells are blanked olf against lightexcitation and, therefore, their respective electromagnets 34 aredeenergized. It will be understood, of course, that each photoelectriccell 35, 36 can be housed in suitable light tight housing schematicallyshown in Fig. 4 and with a suitable aperture through which it may beilluminated through a corresponding lamp or light source representedschematically in Fig. 4 by the numeral 37. In other words, web 11 actsas a blanking off shutter between each light source and its associatedphotoelectric cell.

It is clear, therefore, that as long as the web 11 is moving in theproper linear direction and as long as its width remains normal, neitherof the cells is energized and, therefore, neither of the control unitsexerts any traction on the web. On the other hand, if for example theweb should bodily shift its direction of travel laterally, asrepresented for example by the dot-dash lines in Fig. 1, one of thecells will be uncovered, for example cell 36, which will cause itsassociated electromagnet 34 to be energized, resulting in the verticalmovement of its associated roller 17 thus exerting a traction on thecorresponding margin of the web 11. The direction of this traction will,of course, be dependent upon the angular relation of the rollers 16 and17 with respect to the web.

It will be understood, of course, that the said angular relation can beadjusted to any particular setting in any suitable manner. For example,the frames 23, 24, carrying the respective roller control units, may beturned at any desired angle so as to position the respective rollers inany desired angular relation with respect to the direction of travel ofweb 11. This angle of direction may be varied between degrees and 90degrees. If, for example, the rollers of both control sets arepositioned so as to be at 90 degrees with respect to the normallongitudinal direction of travel of the web, then of course even iftheir respective pneumatic actuators 30, 31 are operated, the rolls willexert a traction extending along the normal longitudinal direction ofthe web feed. If, however, the said sets of rollers are adjusted at lessthan 90 degrees, for example at an angle of 45 degrees with respect tothe normal longitudinal Web motion, then when either of the pneumaticactuators is operated it causes the correspondingrollers to exerttractive force on the web, which force has a substantial sidewisecomponent. In other words, the two sets of roller controls come intoaction upon various conditions of the web in the region where it isbeing wound upon roll 12. For example, if the two sets of controlrollers are mounted at the same angle less than 90 degrees with respectto the web, if the web should shift bodily adjacent the winding regionso as to uncover the cell 36 alone, then the actuator is operated andthe rollers 16 and 17 exert a corresponding sidewise traction on the webof sufficient magnitude to restore the web to its proper linear windingrelation. Under this condition, the rollers 14 and 15 are, of course,out of contact with the Web and the net result is that the web isshifted bodily, but without lateral stretching, to its proper windingpath. It is quite clear, therefore, that if the web should shift bodilylaterally in the opposite direction from that indicated by the dot-dashline in Fig. l, the cell takes control and the rollers 14 and 15 arebrought into traction engagement with the web and shift the web bodilyto the proper winding direction, whereupon both cells are deenergizedand the correcting action is discontinued.

On the other hand, if for any reason the web should be subjected to anysubstantial tension, resulting in a contraction of its width at thewinding region, both a linearizing and lateral stretching action wouldbe produced. For example, if as a result of undesired tension on the webits width contractionshould be of sufficient magnitude to uncover bothcells 35, 36, then both of the roller control units come into action andinstead of shifting the web bodily in a lateral direction, both sets ofrollers exert oppositely directed sidewise traction on the web, thusovercoming the tendency to contract. When the web at the winding regionis restored to its proper normal width as a result of the removal of theundesired tension, then of course both of the sets of control rollersare taken out of action and the web proceeds to be rolled in the properwidth.

The action of the mechanism is as follows. Let it be assumed that theweb 11 is a light weight, soft, stretchable, knit fabric. The two setsof control rollers on opposite sides of the web can be adjusted at anangle of approximately 75 degrees to the desired direction of webtravel, as illustrated in the drawing, it being understood, of course,that these sets of rollers are adjusted so that the marginal portions ofthe web are threaded between the corresponding pairs of rollers. The Web11 is lined up in the proper direction, namely perpendicular to the axisof roll 12, and in this condition both of the cells 35 and 36 areblanked off. Therefore, the motor 13 drives the roll 12 at the requiredspeed but no traction is effected on the web by the two sets of controlrolls. Thus, the web is free to be reeled without any correction.

As the Web is pulled forward, to the left as shown in Fig. 1, by theroll 12, there is a tendency to subject the Web to a very slighttension. Ordinarily, this tension is insufficient to change the width ofthe web at the rewinding region. However, if for any reason there isappreciable drag on the web between the rolls 10 and 12, the web maynarrow sufiiciently to unmask the cells 35 and 36. The nip which,therefore, results on the web between the two sets of control rollerscauses the web to be stretched laterally at right angles to its axis oftravel, and at the same time these rollers overcome tension on the webadjacent the winding roll 12, thus further reducing the tendency tonarrowing of the web. As the web moves at right angles to its length, itmasks both of the cells, thus lowering the rollers 15 and 17 andpermitting the initial undesired narrowing effect of the web to berepeated. Although the right angle stretching effect or lateral movementof the web efiected by the angularly located control rollers may be asmuch as two inches, the said control rolls may be mounted so close tothe rewind roll 12 that the tendency for the web to vary its width in anoscillatory manner can be dampened to as little as one-quarter inch orless by the arrangement described.

It will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited to ahorizontal movement of the web. The web may be moved in a vertical pathor in an inclined path,.in which event, of course, the two sets ofcontrol rollers will be appropriately mounted to permit the web to passtherebetween. In order to facilitate angular adjustment of the rollswith respect to the web, suitable flexible shafts or universal couplingsmay be provided between the respective gear trains 18 and 19 and therolls 15 and 16, it being understood that each set of these rolls,namely the set 14 and 15 and the set 16 and 17, are mounted forhorizontal adjustment, vertical adjustment, and angular adjustment, thedegree of the angular adjustment being determined mainly by the inherentstretchability of the web 11.

While one particular embodiment has been disclosed herein, it will beunderstood that various changes and modifications may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

A web reeling control mechanism for a web which is extensible undertension and comprising, means to feed the web between two spaced pointswhile maintaining the web under minimum tension which is insufiicient tocause substantial width distortion of the web, a first set of correctionrollers mounted at an angle to and adjacent one margin of the web, asecond set of correction rollers mounted at an angle to and adjacent theopposite margin of the web, the web passing between the rollers of eachset, one roller of each set being positively power driven independentlyof the web motion and the other roller of each set being an idlerroller, a support for each idler roller, means to operate each supportto move its idler roller into and out of traction contact with the webonly when the web width becomes distorted or while the web is moving ina path ofiset from a predetermined linear path, a pair oflight-sensitive devices located respectively adjacent the said marginsof the web and selectively masked or unmasked in accordance with thewidth and path of movement of the web, electric circuit connectionsbetween said cells and the said operating means for automaticallycontrolling the movement of said idler rollers to correct widthdistortion of the web and to restore the movement of the web to saiddesired linear path, said support operating means including a pneumaticcontrolled member, and a valve for controlling said pneumatic member,said connections comprising circuit connections between eachlight-sensitive device and a corresponding one of said valve forselectively controlling the movement of the associated idler roller.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS739,968 Wood et a1 Sept. 29, 1903 1,569,077 Durrant Jan. 12, 19261,769,687 Hamilton July 1, 1930 1,791,288 Schweitzer Feb. 3, 19311,875,777 T ackaberry Sept. 6, 1932 2,082,799 Hetherington June 8, 19372,188,665 Sperry July 30, 1940 2,752,657 Meneo July 3, 1956 FOREIGNPATENTS 414,776 Italy Aug. 24, 1946

